Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  Perfect for Price and speed - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By anthonyfromMillenuim - November 4 - 2:00 am

  For its price, it has to be the best sports car ever designed. It terms of looks, fun, and performance.

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  A "Small" Review of the Hyundai XG350 - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Robbiebird - November 4 - 2:00 am

  My brother, father, and I all own XG350s. They are stylish and offer the most features for a reasonable price. How can you beat the warranty or roadside assistance that are standard features? It rides great, smooth and quiet with quick acceleration when needed. Service is also terrific at this dealership. What a deal for the money!!!

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  Fantastic Car For the Money - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By LongJ - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have found this car to be the best buy when looking for a luxury car with all the bells and Whistles. It drives nicely, and handles nicely for the every day driver. The comfort features that are provided makes this car a fantastic deal.

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  elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By piper - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Drove from Massachusetts to Florida, have taken a 6 hour trip since then, and joy riding with my friends. With all of that since June the only problem Ive had is the brake pads (understandable) and and windshield problem, which is being worked out now. Good car.

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  Love this little car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kari Sands - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Although I have very few miles on this new car I do love it. My last car was a 1990 Saab and people that know me think this is a Saab as well. The lines are so similar. The car is very comfortable to drive and be a passenger in. I appreciate the space in the hatch back and the fold down seats. Controls are easy to understand and operate. In my opinion lots of car for a low price.

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  One of the best - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By rff914 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I like the price -- $15000 out the door has everything on it...

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  My Elantra GT - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By tgoggin - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Elantra now for 9 months. Everything I researched about this car has proven out since I have bought it. Peppy engine, well appointed interior, great sound system, handles road noise well, and the best set of tires on economy class car I have ever seen. I looked at Civics, Toyotas, and Ford. The Ford product came close but the warranty on the Hyundai cant be beat.Oh did I mention a fully loaded (leather, wood grain dash, ABS, Traction control, Upgraded sound system, Michelins at 195)Elantra GT was still 3 Gs less than every other car in its class. And none had these options.

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  Fun to drive and very stable car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chong - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Well, I never drove this car before, and this is my first time owning a Hyundai. I heard lots of my friends telling me this is not a good car and not reliable. After I go for a test drive. Wow!!! I like it so much and guess what, I fall in love for this car for the first time and ends up buying this car. The next things i like about this car is the package. Very worth for the money compare to other car manufacturer like Toyota. I am so glad I bought this great car.

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  ALOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By roxnmir - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I ENJOY DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS A LUXURY FEEL TO IT. THE EXTERIOR IS MADE TO RESEMBLE A MORE EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES PEOPLE LOOK AT ME WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THINK ITS A LEXUS. I HAVE A 6 CYLINDER AND IT DRIVES VERY SMOOTHLY AND QUITE. ABOUT THE ONLY THING I DONT LIKE IS THE SOUND OF THE RADIO. IT IS NOT AS CLEAR AS I WOULD LIKE. EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS AND FEELS FABULOUS. IT LOOKS BETTER THAN MY CO- WORKERS NEW IMPALA. IT IS MORE CONFORTABLE THAN MY BROTHERS NEW DODGE INTREPID. I PAID MUCH LESS THAN THEY DID FOR THEIR CARS. I GOT A 10 YEAR WARENTEE AND A CAR WITH MORE LUXURY FEATURES. CANT BEAT THAT!

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  I love my Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By K.Piotrowski - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Sonata. I absolutely love it and wouldnt even try out another car. Im physically small in stature, and I love the comfort and safe feeling it provides, and the ease of driving.